title: Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness as a predictor for hypertension: a cross-sectional observational study.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with essential hypertension. The sample included 127 asymptomatic patients with one or more cardiovascular risk factors consecutively referred for cardiac computed tomography angiography. Data were collected retrospectively and compared between hypertensive (n=39) and normotensive (n=88) patients. The hypertensive patients had a significantly higher mean EAT thickness than the normotensive group (2.81±1.6 mm vs 2.07±1.43 mm; P=.011) and a significantly elevated mean coronary artery calcium score (316.8±512.6 vs 108.73±215; P=.0257). The odds ratio for a patient with tissue thickness ≥2.4 mm having hypertension was 1.396 (95% confidence interval, 1.033-1.922). Factors independently associated with hypertension were body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, and age. A model score was developed using the logistic regression coefficients for calculation of individual risk. Hypertensive patients have significantly higher than normal EAT thickness. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness may serve as a risk indicator for hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine D, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel; Department of Radiology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Dror
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dicker
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atar
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kornowski
authors.forename: Gil N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Bachar
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000075222:Essential Hypertension; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*